Has anyone here tried the Inspire device for obstructive sleep apnea?

[Silver Gaia]

I have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP is out of the question and so are mouth devices. So, my options are surgery or the Inspire device.

Surgery would be very painful, but I am a little freaked out about having an electronic device inside my body that is attached to nerves and has a remote control. I feel like that would make me a cyborg, and that is creepy to me.

I honestly don't WANT to do any of it, but they say I have to since I also have atrial flutter and apnea makes it worse. This seems to be my best option according to my ENT doctor, and I do trust him very much.

If I could just hear from someone who has done this successfully, it might help. Or if you have horror stories, tell me that, too. I just need advice one way or the other. Can anyone help?

[Desert grandma]

1. I was also diagnosed with this.

After diagnosis, we purchased an adjustable bed that allows both my husband and I to control the head and foot height of our individual mattresses. We have a split king mattress set. I always lift my head of the bed up. I am also taking Tirzepatide which is undergoing FDA approval for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I read that approval will probably come by the end of the year. That would make this drug which is currently approved for weight loss, much more accessible. Then more insurances would be likely to cover it. I am getting it at a certified compounding pharmacy. Good luck to you. The Cpap has worked okay for now, however, I really expect to be sleeping just fine with no events with this new bed, mattress, and medication.

[Silver Gaia]

5. I have a foam wedge under my mattress

that raises the head of the bed. It does help, just not enough.

[trof]

2. I use a BiPAP and a nose 'pillow'.

Why is CPAP out of the question?
My BiPAP is a bi-pressure machine. Less pressure when you exhale. The nose pillow just fits comfortably under my nose. I get a good night's sleep.

[Silver Gaia]

3. It's out of the question because my doctors have deemed it so,

and I agree with them. I simply can't do those things.

[duncang]

4. I've been wondering also

I use a bi-pap. I would like to find out for sure what it would cost. Aspire’s website does have a link to help but it requires phone and email. For right now I’m going wait until I get a up to date sleep study. Sounds like Medicare should cover it.

[Silver Gaia]

6. Medicare does cover it.

I had to have a procedure done where they gave me anesthesia to test the type of airway collapse I experience to see if I qualify for Inspire. There is also a weight limit with Medicare, a BMI you have to be under to qualify, but I don't know the specifics on that. I had the procedure done yesterday, and I passed, so they are scheduling me for the Inspire surgical implant, and Medicare is covering it. I can change my mind, but right now, I'm looking at becoming a cyborg in 6 to 8 weeks. Yikes!

ETA: I forgot to add that my doc said you have to have a sleep study from within 2 years. Medicare wants that, too.

[Lulu KC]

7. Just today my husband's doctor mentioned it

He has not done well with CPAP. I'll be watching for an update. Best wishes!

[Silver Gaia]

8. It will likely be 2 or 3 months until I can report anything, so I hope

someone here will be able to answer my original questions in the meantime. That would help your hubby and me both.

[vanamonde]

9. My nurse practitioner was skeptical of Inspire

I've tried CPAP twice since the 90s and never found it made much difference in following day wakefulness (it did stop snoring which my wife at the time appreciated).

But, as I age, I try to keep an eye on things and was recently diagnosed with a level of apnea more serious than the earlier tests (70 year old otherwise healthy male).

My NP told me that her experience with the Inspire device was not altogether positive. Like any medical appliance it may not work for everyone and indeed it didn't seem to help some of her patients. And any time you have to do even minor surgery there is a risk. Not all apnea sufferers are "qualified" for the device. Your level of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) must exceed a certain threshold, and if you have a pacemaker it is not an option.

I agreed to try a CPAP machine for the third time. Over the years they have improved the experience but I still don't like having that thing on my head and being tethered to the machine. I quit using my third, most recent, machine within two months of starting. I don't think there was any significant improvement in sleep quality or decrease in daytime sleepiness. At 70 I can take an afternoon nap if I damn well please.

I have had some level of apnea for many decades now. My recent heart work-up showed no problems. At 70 I have memory lapses but nothing unusual for my age. Ultimately, even though I quit using the CPAP I also decided not to bother with the Inspire.

Personally, but without any real evidence, I am suspicious of the whole CPAP industry. CPAP devices are a multi-billion dollar business and I wonder if there is pressure to over-diagnose and over-prescribe.

One final word: She told me that if one does not find the Inspire useful it stays in your chest. Absent any other complications they just leave it in there and you just don't turn it on when you go to bed.

I hope you find a livable solution!

[Silver Gaia]

10. Well, the ENT surgeon I'm working with is well respected

and works with both a local university research hospital in our city, and was chief of surgery at our VA hospital until he retired from there. I've known him for over 10 years and he has treated both me and my husband. We both think he's a straight-shooter kind of guy and we trust him. He hasn't tried to "sell" me on it. I brought it up and asked him about it.

The reason they want me to do something about my sleep apnea is that I have Atrial Fibrillation. I had an ablation procedure done for that last year, and it has mostly stopped my AFib, but sleep apnea increases my chances of AFib returning.

Left to my own devices, and without having AFib, I would be doing what you are doing because it doesn't actually bother me, either. I don't even get sleepy in the daytime!

My doctor and I have discussed all the available options. I know I can't do CPAP. Truly, my worst sleep problem is insomnia, the kind where I have trouble falling asleep, and the mask and its paraphernalia would just increase my sleep anxiety. Plus, I have claustrophobia, so to heck with apnea because I would just never fall asleep anyway! Ditto with the mouth devices.

So, I asked him about Inspire. He considered it, thought it could be a solution for my situation, and scheduled me for the test to see if I would qualify. I did. I am scheduled for the surgery in about one month. I can back out if I change my mind, of course. So, that is I where I'm at.

I agree with you about the whole CPAP industry and the "sleep studies" that accompany it as well. What a racket. My sleep studies never even convinced me I have apnea! However, it was measurable during the test under anesthesia to see if I qualified, and I must trust that.

Thank you for sharing your opinion. I appreciate you taking the time to share it with me.

I thought SURELY someone on DU would have an Inspire device, but so far, no one has come forward. If I could only talk to one or two people who use Inspire, I would maybe feel better about becoming a cyborg!

[vanamonde]

11. Yes, the AFib is a complicating factor

Perhaps you should try the Inspire, given your situation.

You seem to be a person who "does your homework", but here's more info that's contrary to what my NP told me. Just to keep things fair and balanced.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31418162/#:~:text=The%20procedure%20has%20obtained%20a,60%2Dmonth%20follow%2Dup.

Wishing you the best.

[Silver Gaia]

12. Thanks!

I appreciate the link, especially a link to a study.

I also wish you well!